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The Balance Bulletin
2026 Edition (vol. 1)
What's New with Finding Balance?
Now Launching - Actively Aging, A Finding Balance guide to falls prevention for ages 55+
We’re excited to introduce Actively Aging, a new resource designed to help adults age 55+ live healthy, independent, and active lives.
Created by Finding Balance, with support from our partners and sponsor Lifeline, this booklet provides practical information and actionable steps individuals can take to reduce their risk of falling and stay confident in their daily activities.
We invite you to preview the booklet before you place your order.
Orders may be placed now for delivery after February 9, 2026.
Upcoming Webinar
Considerations for Designing Fall Prevention and Physical Literacy Programs for South Asian Older Women
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm (MT)
Join us for a virtual webinar to learn about new University of Alberta community-based research in older adult falls prevention with the Department of Physical Therapy and Faculty of Nursing.
Considerations and adaptations for a fall prevention program that are culturally sensitive for South Asian older women will be presented. This work was embedded with the STRONG Program which is a 8-week community-based health promotion program designed with and for South Asian older women to improve mobility and health literacy. The program included in-person physiotherapist-led exercise sessions and virtual nurse-led health literacy sessions.
Speakers:
Jyotsna Nanda is a second year Masters physiotherapy student, University of Alberta who has adapted the falls prevention program in the Strong program.
Sadaf Murad is a doctoral student in the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta and Registered Nurse with expertise in dementia care and immigrant health.
Allyson Jones is a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta and also practices clinically at a primary care clinic.
Finding Balance Feature Article
Aging in Place, Making Winter Safer at Home by Dr. Kathy Belton
Finding Balance was invited to submit an article for the NEW Alberta Senior Living - A lifestyle magazine for Albertans 55+.
Feature Webinar Recording:
Injury Matters - Mobility in Falls Prevention
This webinar explores:
- What is functional mobility?
- Factors that influence functional mobility
- How mobility challenges can influence falls risk
- How to assess functional mobility
- Exercises and programs to improve mobility and reduce falls in older adults in the community
- A life course approach to falls prevention
Click on the YouTube icon or video below to view the webinar.
Articles of Interest
Walking Speed - Is It a New Vital Sign?
Learn more about walking speed and what it means for your mobility, falls prevention and overall health. Take this simple 15 minute interactive e-learning lesson from McMaster Optimal Aging Portal to learn:
- What is walking speed and why it's important
- How does walking speed change with age
- How you can measure it yourself
- What can be done to improve walking speed
Is walking enough to prevent falls?
The good news is that adding a few simple exercises to your regular walks can help strengthen your legs and build your balance, reducing your risk of falls so you can stay active and continue to enjoy your walks.
Long-term effectiveness of a multicomponent frailty management program in Singapore: One-year preliminary findings of a cluster-randomised controlled trial
The prevalence of frailty is increasing with the rapidly ageing population in Singapore. A 12-week multicomponent frailty management program, “Say No to Frailty” (SNTF) showed its feasibility and demonstrated positive outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical effectiveness of the SNTF program on various health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults with pre-frailty and frailty in Singapore.
3 ways we can "dance" our way to better health
Research highlights that different dance-related activities can decrease falls, boost brain health, and improve physical function in different groups of older adults.
Interactive Home Safety Challenge
The Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging has created an interactive tour of a real home to search for common things that may lead to a fall and get tips for reducing your risk. Take the free home safety challenge!
Education & Events
Parachute Announcement
New Older Adult Falls Prevention Projects
Parachute has received funding for a fall prevention project from the Public Health Agency. There are three initiatives that they will be completing by the end of March 2026.
1. Deliver and evaluate a fall prevention webinar series for professionals
Complete a short (three-minute) survey and tell them what you’d like to hear about and possible speakers.
2. Update, enhance and sustain the national Fall Prevention Month Platform
3. Create an audio resource: The Caregivers’ Guide to Fall Prevention
Attention Caregivers: To learn more about The Caregivers' Guide to Fall Prevention please join Parachute on January 22, 2026 for their free online event. Don't miss the opportunity to enhance your caregiving skills and make the home a safer place.
NOT Falling for You
NOT Falling for You (NFFY) is a peer-led physical activity and education program for adults aged 55+ interested in preventing falls and improving their balance, strength, and mobility.
We’re excited to connect with community organizations interested in hosting new groups, individuals who are passionate about becoming Peer Leaders, and those eager to participate in classes. Whether you’re looking to lead, join or collaborate, we welcome your enthusiasm and involvement!
Contact us for more information on organizing or attending a class in your area.
Visit the NFFY Finding Balance webpage for more information and the Edmonton Zone Winter 2026 schedule.
Educational Resources on Ageism
The Canadian Coalition Against Ageism (CCAA) just launched two new educational resources on ageism: The Ageism Awareness & Education module and the Ageism toolkit. These resources were developed by the CCAA’s Ageism Awareness Working Group, with funding support from the CIHR Institute of Aging.
The Ageism Awareness & Education module offers people across Canada and beyond a foundational introduction to what ageism is, why it matters, how it affects us all, and how to address it. The module is available for free online on the Thinkific platform and it takes about 15 minutes to complete. The module is available in English, and will soon be available in French and Spanish as well: https://ccaageism.ca/ageism-module/
The Ageism Toolkit is a complementary resource that brings together a diverse set of tools and activities to deepen understanding of ageism, explore its impacts, and promote concrete actions to challenge it across multiple sectors of society. The toolkit is currently available in English: https://ccaageism.ca/ageism-toolkit/
Ageism remains one of the most pervasive yet least recognized forms of discrimination—woven into our language, policies, institutions, and even our own assumptions. The World Health Organization has recognized education as one of the effective strategies for eliminating ageism. The Ageism Awareness Module and Toolkit are intended for use by all ages and sectors.
Strategies and Actions for Independent Living (SAIL) Training Program
This University of Victoria online certification course meets and exceeds all Accreditation Canada fall prevention standards, giving you the credentials and confidence your clients deserve.
Why SAIL Training Matters
Falls pose a significant health threat to frail older adults and persons with disabilities who want to maintain their independence at home. The SAIL Program provides practical, evidence-based tools that empower home care providers to help clients live safely while reducing fall-related injuries.
Register now to guarantee your spot: continuingstudies.uvic.ca/SAIL
Online movement resources for people living with Arthritis
Just One Move provides practical, movement-focused resources for people living with arthritis and for practitioners who support them.
All content is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own health care provider or any other health care professional.
